Japanese fire services and wildlife groups trial drones for emergencies

Fire departments in the southern part of Kyoto Prefecture have been slow to adopt drones, even though the technology proved useful in the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake for rapid damage assessment. The delay is noted across multiple municipalities, including Uji, Jōyō, Yawata and others.

On August 18, a free demonstration was held in Nagahama, Shiga Prefecture, where the drone company SEKIDO and local organizer ProCrew showcased industrial drones equipped with speakers, flashing lights and infrared cameras to deter bears, monkeys, wild boar and deer. The event, coordinated with prefectural police and fire services, aimed to illustrate how drones can support wildlife damage control and rescue operations. Attendance was limited to 20 participants and the demonstration was offered at no cost.

Both initiatives reflect a growing interest in expanding drone use for disaster response and animal‑related hazards across Japan’s public‑safety agencies.